Falcons on the Rise

Dear Falcon Families

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year. Fairland Elementary school is both a Title I school and a Community School. Each year, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) identifies Title I schools based on federal guidelines and available funding. Federal guidelines state that schools with 40% or more of their students directly certified for free school meals meet the criteria to be considered for participation in the Title I program. Title I schools received federal funds to support student academic achievement. These funds support critical initiatives that help our children and school communities thrive, including:

• Hiring more teachers and staff to reduce class sizes and provide individualized attention.

• Purchasing additional educational materials to support learning and growth.

• Creating innovative programs and resources tailored to meet the needs of students.

While all schools provide support to students, community schools work in collaboration with community partners, local governments, and other stakeholders to provide wraparound services that address barriers to learning and success. Community schools leverage the power of neighborhoods through asset-based approaches that strengthen the connections between home, school, and communities and create change for the people that we serve.

We are looking forward to the return of all scholars on Tuesday,August 25th.

Principal James & Assistant Principal Spalding

Students will be able to find their classroom and assigned teacher the following ways:

(1) On Tuesday, August 18, your child’s teacher will email a digital postcard to your email address The postcard will provide your teacher's name and classroom location.

(2) You can attend our Open House, Friday, August 21st from 2:30-p.m.3:30 p.m. Staff will be available to greet students and families, and provide class and teacher assignments.

(3) On Thursday, August 20, Parent Vue will feature accurate homeroom teacher information.

• Friday, August 21: Open House 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 18th- Electronic Postcards from you child's teacher with classroom Information.
• Saturday, August 22: Back-to-School Fair for PBHS Cluster Schools at Paint Branch HS form 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Monday, August 24: Transition Day for kindergarten and new students enrolled in grades 1 - 5 (9:10 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.)
• Tuesday, August 25: First Day of School for all students

We want to extend a huge thank you to our amazing PTA Executive Board, Community School Liaison, and School Registrar for hosting the Kindergarten Student and Parent Meet Up on Thursday, August 6th. Please come out to meet them at Open House on Friday! The Executive Board Members are as follows:

The PTA Executive Board Members are as follows:

President: Ms. Erica Ramos

Vice President: Ms. Terrena Smith

Co-Secretaries: Ms. Katya Palacios and Ms. Janice Viernes

We are seeking a qualified candidate(s) to serve as Treasure this school year.

SCHOOL HOURS

Fairland Elementary School's Doors open for students at 9:10 a.m. Students should not be at school before 9:00 a.m. If a student is dropped off too early parents will be called because adequate supervision is not available before the school day begins. Students that arrive after 9:25 a.m. are tardy and they must be signed in by an adult. Please note that our scholars Instructional Time is from 9:25 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. daily.

BUS ROUTES

You can find Bus Route information from the Transportation Office on our website. Please review carefully the routes assigned for Fairland Elementary. We will have hard copies of the Bus Routes at Open House as well. Please be patient with our transportation during the first two weeks of school. School buses experience the same traffic delays as the rest of us, sometimes even more since bus drivers tend to be more cautious than the average commuter does.

Find Your Route! Bus Info Coming This Week and af Open House

Visit the Division of Transportation Services website to find your route and get set for the first day of school!

Please follow the guidelines: Maryland Department of Health:

Important Deadlines:

• Monday, August 24, 2026: Students must provide documentation of required vaccinations or a permitted exemption as explained above by the first day of school or their date of admission. Students who have not received their vaccinations may enter school if they provide evidence of an appointment to be vaccinated by Monday, September 17, 2025 (or 20 calendar days from their day of admission).

• Wednesday, September 18, 2026: Students who have not provided documentation of the required vaccinations by this date (or 20 calendar days from their day of admission) must be excluded from school until such documentation is provided.